March 7, 2022 3:00 a.m.
Members of the Elliott State Research Forest Advisory Committee are applauding the Oregon State Legislature’s passage of Senate Bill 1546, which establishes a public agency to oversee an Elliot State Research Forest in coordination with Oregon State University.
A release from the Oregon Department of State Lands said since 2019, the Advisory Committee has worked with OSU and the ODSL to examine the Elliot’s potential to become a publicly owned, working research forest.
The committee’s unanimous letter urging passage of the legislation addressed both the challenges of the process and the potential of a research forest to benefit Oregon and the world. The committee said, “We never lost sight of the forest for the trees in remembering our task: to create an exceptional, sustainable, publicly owned research forest focused on science, conservation, and best-forestry practices”.
SB 1546 establishes the independent public agency to oversee the forest, sets expectations for public accountability and transparency, and locks in the Elliot’s ongoing contributions to conservation, economic growth, recreation, education and forest research.
Advisory Committee member and Portland Audubon’s Director of Conservation Bob Sallinger, said the legislation launches a new era of collaboration and conservation for the Elliot. Sallinger said, “That decades of conflict resulted in consensus among diverse stakeholders as well as enduring protections for habitat and species is truly remarkable”.
The release said the State Land Board sought a future for the forest that would set a modern vision for the Elliot: A public forest that has completed its obligation to funding Oregon schools, but will continue to contribute to conservation, recreation, education, local economies, and more as a research forest. SB 1546, in concert with $121 million of general funding being considered by the Legislature to satisfy the Common School Fund obligation, lays the groundwork for achieving the Land Board’s vision.
Work to finalize research forest details is ongoing, with the Advisory Committee’s continued guidance. Learn more about current and upcoming work at: https://www.forestry.oregonstate.edu/elliott-state-forest